It's really not a slippery slope, we just don't recognize addictions as such when we see them.

People engage with social media in an addictive manner every day. People sit around watching tv for 5+ hours a day. People do the same with videogames.

There are even people who cluster themselves away reading books in a way that is harmful to their lives and well being.

The only reason we recognize gambling is because the impact is so much more intense and visibly harmful.

All of these things are addictions though, so is qanon and conspiracy rabbit holes and those do have serious and rapid effects, and even that gets a pass.

You can see serious addictions in tons of people, even workaholics, and we just look the other way because it is less immediately harmful to society. Not because any of these addictions are more or less immoral.